Dear Safreans,

It goes without saying that any organisation is only as good as its members. And, if a membership organisation is to run smoothly, it needs people who are prepared to spend some time making sure that the needs of the members are met.

Safrea is no different. We are more than just a networking organisation – we are an advocacy group for freelancers’ rights. We are a space for professional development and mentoring. We are an eclectic mix of people with diverse talents, experience and needs.

One of the things that always strikes me is how Safrea members report one of two experiences with the organisation. They either say how much it has helped them, or they say it hasn’t helped them at all. The difference seems to be that the ones who get the most out of the organisation are the ones who contribute the most. By ‘contributing’ I don’t just mean standing on committees. Some of our most valuable contributors are not on committees at all, but they give of their time and expertise willingly through the Google group and through private interactions with other members.

With our AGM coming up on 4 June, the time has come to ask each of you to contribute once again. Of course we need you to stand for election to regional committees and Exco, but we also need you to turn up and be counted, whether or not you are able to serve on a committee.

Tiffany Markman is once again offering a great incentive to AGM attendees, and I’m really grateful for that but I’m also sad that we need to offer an incentive at all. Voting or sending in a proxy takes less than five minutes of your time. Please spend five minutes to ensure that the organisation that you have chosen to join, is as good as it can be.

We can’t do it without you! Click here to nominate yourself or someone else, and mark June 4 in your diary.

Our photographer

Thank you to this month’s featured photographer Melanie Cornelius. We are featuring her multi-media company ICapture Solutions which is a one-stop shop for businesses with regards to social media and website content, videos, stop motion, and e-commerce product photography. Melanie would appreciate a follow and visit to ICapture Solutions’ Facebook page https://web.facebook.com/icapturesolutionsza

Yours in freelancing,

Lynne Smit

Safrea Chair